Plan Bee: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Hardest-Working Creatures on the Planet

by Susan Brackney

Book Overview

A guided tour inside the world of bees Overtaxed and underrecognized-and now disappearing in alarming numbers- bees are the unsung heroes of the food chain, essential for the pollination of more than ninety of the crops we eat. The hardworking, humble, and matriarchal bee finally gets her due in this engaging and expertly written guide that will appeal to anyone who's ever been curious about the mysterious and always-buzzing world of bees. Beekeeper...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399534962
• ISBN13: 9780399534966
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Perigee Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

A must read for citizens of the earth

A bit of genius here. Everyone should read this book. It brings to light the importance of bees and our overall capacity for overlooking how very much we need them. This book is surprisingly well written - just that I hadn't expected to read it cover to cover in one sitting and enjoy every minute. It's humorous, very informative and it nurtures the caretaker (in me anyway) - that responsible, mature and enlightened citizen of the earth - untapped in most of us and unaccountable - or so we'd like to think.

Engaging

Interesting how the author managed to give the reader so much great information without coming across as lecture(y) or boring. It is to my library's credit that I found this book in the new book section. Since I love honey I was curious about the creatures who provide it. Ms. Brackney gave me a new found appreciation for bees and many good ideas as to how I can contribute to their success and well being. Now knowing that it took 2600 stops and 850 miles to allow me to add that teaspoon of honey to my tea, I will never look at my honey bear the same. It is obvious the love this author has for her own bees and all of creation. And, on a warm winter day, if I see a bee out & about, I will let him go about his "business"! Thank you, Susan Brackney, well done!

Very engaging book on a familiar subject

There are numerous "bee books" on the market, many by amateurs who feel they have a literary bent. This book, however, shows that the detailed technical information that beekeepers love to read about (endlessly, for some reason!), can be made fun and humorous. The author has a true gift for restating commonly known facts and experiences (for current beekeepers) in a genuinely engaging way. Regardless of how many books you've read on the subject this is a 'keeper'.

Beekeeper's Manifesto

This sweet little book is part bug entymology, part how to be an apiarist, part interesting folklore, part recipes and part whimsey. It is a lovely book for gardeners, environmentalists, animal and bird lovers and people who generally appreciate the natural world. If you are thinking of becoming an apiarist there is even a short quiz for you to take to see if you would be a likely candidate for beekeeping. Ms Brackney is a writer and an organic gardner and fell into beekeeping because she could not have any chickens where she lived. It is clearly a happy circumstance for both the writer and the reader. Ms. Brackney introduces us to the beekeeping world with humor and stories and a great sense for how the natural bee world works. She even writes a small part about how to make a bee beard. I highly recommend this book!

Bee-side Myself Over this Book

I was fascinated with the world of bees as seen through the author's eyes. Her style of communication was informative and fun. It is an easy read. I would bee remiss if I didn't recommend this book to anyone looking for insight on our buzzing buddies.